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Mar 31, 2015 at 10:57 AM

Portland carbon emissions down 35% per person

(March 31, 2015) While carbon emissions in the U.S. have gone up 7 percent since 1990, Portlanders have been able to cut total emissions by 14 percent, even while absorbing 30 percent more people and adding over 75,000 jobs.

One of the ways we’ve been able to achieve this is because Portlanders are driving less. Yet transportation of goods and people still accounts for nearly 40 percent of Multnomah County carbon emissions. How we move around makes a difference, and land use patterns make a difference on how we move around.

Portland was the first U.S. city to adopt a plan to cut carbon in 1993. That plan put Portland and Multnomah County on a path to reach a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 (based on 1990 levels). The 2015 draft Climate Action Plan builds on accomplishments to date with ambitious policies, new research and engagement with underserved communities.

According to the plan, 60 percent of Portlanders are currently being served by “healthy connected neighborhoods” that support the health and well-being of residents. Healthy connected neighborhoods afford people of all ages and abilities safe and convenient access to the goods and services needed in daily life – grocery stores, schools, libraries, parks, and jobs – reachable by foot, bike or transit. Forty percent of Portlanders still live in neighborhoods that lack safe and convenient access to transit, commercial services, jobs, or in many areas such as East Portland, even sidewalks. Addressing this inequity is one important piece of the plan.

Mar 26, 2015 at 11:28 AM

A bike shop and other resources are coming to East Portland

(March 26, 2015) Rosewood Bikes is a new community bike shop and advocacy organization in East Portland. The shop celebrated its Grand Opening with a free Bike Repair Workshop last night at the Rosewood Initiative Community Center at 16126 SE Stark.

While there are more than 70 bike shops in bike-passionate Portland, shops and services are scarce in East Portland. Prior to last night there were no bicycle shops east of 106th Avenue, which meant a Rosewood resident with a flat tire would have to travel 4 miles to reach the closest shop.

Rosewood Bikes is making its temporary home inside the Rosewood Initiative Community Center and hopes to find a permanent location by mid- to late-summer. The non-profit bike shop and advocacy organization will offer weekly fix-it nights on Thursdays from 4 to 6 pm. Director Matt Martin hopes Rosewood Bikes can be part of a growing movement to make East Portland more bike friendly, especially for the families and bicyclists of all ages and types that live in the area.

Mar 17, 2015 at 10:43 AM

Wednesday, March 18 is Transit Driver Appreciation Day

How do you show your appreciation for your transit driver? For hours on end, transit drivers manage to keep a schedule, check fares, give directions, announce stops, remember stop requests and more, all while safely maneuvering an extra-large vehicle though unpredictable traffic, adverse weather conditions and some really tight spaces! The fact is, transit drivers don’t have an easy job; they just make it look that way.

TriMet has designated March 18 as Transit Driver Appreciation Day and wants you to join them in celebrating the contributions of hard-working bus drivers and rail operators. A simple smile and wave when you board, or a thank you when you leave goes a long way, but you can also print out and personalize pre-made thank you cards available on TriMet’s webpage and give your driver a more tangible token of your appreciation. You can also submit an official commendation for your favorite driver, one who performs their duties well or even goes above and beyond any time of year!

All of our transportation options connect people with their community, ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution. Over 300,000 transit trips per day – more than 100,000,000 per year – are taken by Portland area residents just like you. Transit is an extremely important piece of our multi-modal transportation system and transit drivers really do help keep Portland moving.

Mar 12, 2015 at 6:51 PM

The Tram will run from 7 am to 5 pm and there will be special activities for children from 11 am to 2 pm.

(March 12, 2015) Is this the weekend you'll engage in "especially Active Transportation" - will you be in this Sunday's Shamrock Run?

Whether you're putting on the sneakers or doing the cheering make sure to come by the Portland Aerial Tram for some post-event relaxation and family time. The Tram will be running on Sunday from 7:00am to 5:00pm to help relieve traffic congestion for Marquam Hill and OHSU-bound travelers, but anyone can ride! You'll have great views of the city, the river, and the runners along the 15k and Half Marathon routes - and children 6 & under ride for free.

After the event come to the Shamrock Family Fun Day at the lower Tram station. From 11:00am to 2:00pm we'll have free arts and crafts for the kids. Bring home a Leprechaun Trap to make your St. Patty's Day festive, and plant some shamrock seeds for extra luck. Pick up a copy of the Portland Tram Activity Book, great for entertaining youngsters while the adults discuss their favorite running shoes. There will even be a quiet space with books for kids and parents to read up on leprechaun lore.

For a stress-free trip to the Tram take the Portland Streetcar NS line, or try walking or biking. You can also park free in the Whitaker Street lot. See you Sunday at the Portland Tram!

Mar 2, 2015 at 4:24 PM

3 fairs, 100 bikes, and many great community connections

(March 2, 2015) During the 2014-15 Fix-It Fair season Active Transportation and Safe Routes to School engaged in over 300 conversations with neighbors, students and families about their transportation options and biking and walking to school, including several in Spanish. We also prepared 60 riders for biking year-round at our All-Season Cycling classes and helped provide adjustments and tune ups for 100 bikes.

Common bike repairs included fixing flat tires, shifting and braking adjustments, brake pad replacement, drivetrain maintenance, and other miscellaneous adjustments like raising seats, tightening training wheels or adjusting headsets. All repairs were provided to help low-income families and students get back on the road for trips to school, to work and for errands.

Bike mechanics from Bikes for Humanity and Bike Farm and other volunteers donated over 100 hours to help bring this free service to Fix-It Fair attendees. “It’s definitely a group effort and we couldn’t do it without everyone pitching in – especially our amazing mechanics! We are so lucky to have them donating their time and resources to these events,” said Abra McNair, Active Transportation and Safe Routes to School staffer.